We were all created for a purpose, this we know. But the area majority grapple with most is discovering this purpose.
Purpose is not a destination, it is the path we follow to fulfill God’s assignment for our lives. Therefore, to limit our purpose to a title would be to limit ourselves and the call of God on our lives.
So, how do we discover our purpose?
We need to know that when God placed us on this earth, He gave us some insight as to who He created us to be. Remember the tale of the two men?
Before becoming the founding father of nations, Abraham was named Abram. What is the significance of the name Abram? God used that name to point Abram to his purpose. How? The name Abram, in Hebrew, meant exalted father. Therefore, from a very young age, Abram walked in the path of a father, in spite of his wife’s bareness. When you study the life of Abraham (Genesis 12-25), you can’t help but to see how fatherly he was, even before the birth of Ishmael and Isaac. He took care of his nephew Lot, after the death of Terah, and traveled with him to the land the Lord directed him. Despite their eventual separation, Abram’s fatherly love would still shine through for Lot repeatedly, rescuing him from captivity and on a different occasion pleading with God to rescue his life from the pending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
We see this in the life of Paul as well. Prior to his conversion, Paul was a Pharisee, born into the household of a Pharisee. As a Pharisee, he studied the Scriptures and was expected to direct people on the implementation of these Scriptures. It also meant that he believed in bodily resurrection ( this was a key distinction between the Pharisees and the Sadducees). God was preparing Paul from his youth to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the lives of these men, we see that they had some insight as to the assignment of God on their lives, however, the lives they lived seemed to be in contradiction of whom they were created to be. One was a fatherless father, the other was a persecutor of the very faith he was called to spread. Nevertheless, God used these contradictions to His glory in the fulfillment of His purpose on their lives.
The same is true of our lives. God has in one way or another given you a hint as to who He created you to be. He has revealed to you His purpose for your life, but you may have silenced it based on your circumstances. You may have gotten discouraged and silenced the voice within. Or maybe you thought, “how can this be?” and walked away from your path and into a more realistic path. Or perhaps someone spoke you out of it, calling you a dreamer (remember Joseph?)
Whatever the reason may be, remember that despite your best efforts, you cannot escape who you were created to be. It is the path that you were designed to walk on, and life will be a lot better when you embrace it.
So today, take time and listen to the Voice within. Who are you?